So the old man buys 24 pfeil carving chisels from a fellow woodworker for R500. He already has carving chisels, but this is a bargain he can’t resist. He’s fully aware of the value of pfeils – “the best in the business”. His mate probably wasn’t!?
He makes an innovative carrying case for them, adding value:
They gather dust. Years later, he sees an ad in one of his woodwork magazines:
Whoa! So now they’re on the market. R7500 for 24, and the case is free! It’s a bargain, Koos!
I advertise them on gumtree and get an offer: R6300. R6300? No Way! R8000 like I said and not a penny less! Sigh. You paid R500 and you said R7500 Dad. Yes, but they’re worth R14 000! Don’t you agree?! There was one other query by a keen woodworker, but he didn’t follow up with an offer. So that sales effort died out.
Now it’s five months later, and he’s a seller again. I have offered them – 24 plus the case and a woodcarving book – to the same two enthusiasts who replied last time, contacting them directly. Now at R4500 negotiable. Let’s see what happens first, death or taxes.
~~oo0oo~~
My email: Subject: “Woodwork carving tools” – 24 pfeil chisels
Hi Charles – If you’re still looking, the old man has come down drastically on his initial asking price! He’s now hoping someone will give him R4500 – and he’s even negotiable on that! If you – or anyone in your guild – are interested, contact me. – Cheers
PS: He turned 96 last month, so he’s thinking “I better be flexible if I’m ever going to sell!” PLUS: He has another set of carving chisels anyway!
PPS: He now has also thrown in a book on carving! (I haven’t seen the book). The ad below is for 12 new ones; my picture is his 24 in the case he made for them.
~~oo0oo~~
Done deal: I have R4500 in my bank account and the chisels have been whisked off to Somerset West by a courier company! I now await the regrets and the what-ifs. (Charles’ response was: Hi Peter – I will not argue that price. Please send bank details and pick up address and I will arrange for our courier to collect next week. – Thanks very much for contacting me).
